GERMAN scientists say an understanding of car crashes could help childbirth specialists tell if a woman needs a Caesarean section (International Business Week, No 3327-657).

The team of researchers at the Deutschland-based Electronic Data Systems, struck by the similarity of forces that come into play in a car crash and in childbirth, modified car-crash models to calculate the stress on both mother and child.

The software, which runs on a Cray supercomputer, takes into account ultrasound readings and pelvic measurements of the pregnant woman.